Text a call number: making your cell phone even more indispensable!

You search the library catalog for that book you need, jot down the call number on a piece of scrap paper...and then lose it.

No more! McIntyre Library has added a new feature to its catalog that lets you text a title, call number and library location to your cell phone. Just search that catalog as usual, click on the "Text this location, call number, and title to your cell phone" link near the call number, and enter your cell phone number. You'll receive a text message with the information you need to find the library item. How cool is that?

(You will be responsible for any charges or fees levied by your service provider for receiving the incoming text message.)

Required purchase texts now available in the Library

The Library is now purchasing copies of all books that are required readings for classes but not part of the textbook rental program. The books are available on Library Reserve and can be checked out for 3 days.

The Library is doing this in keeping with the Faculty Handbook, which states "If a faculty member requires the use of a book not provided through the Instructional Resource Rental Department, copies of the book must be available in the Library for general use." (Chapter 7, page 6)

Second, buying books assigned for classroom readings logically fits directly into the Library mission to support the University’s curriculum.

Finally, perhaps most importantly, it is one way the Library can help address the high cost of textbooks. While we are not suggesting that students avoid purchasing books, we believe that this service expands students’ range of choices in tough economic times. Research has shown that students believe that this is a role that libraries can play in helping them face textbook affordability.

While we haven’t yet received all of our purchased texts we have quite a few available on reserve. (Some exclusions, such as lab manuals, apply)

Scholarly recommender service -- try it out!

The University of Wisconsin System libraries are running a trial of a new service that provides researchers with suggestions based on their area of interest. This will aid you in finding additional relevant articles. It is similar to the “More Like This” or “If You Liked This, You’ll Also Like …” services on consumer web sites such as Amazon, but it is based on article usage of thousands of people at research institutions around the world.

This trial runs through March 2010.

To try the service, simply use the FIND IT button as usual and look for the "Users interested in this article also expressed an interest in the following" section.

Example:



Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find this service?

Perform a search via our Quick Search or a database and find an article relevant to your research. Then click on the Find It! button to see if your library has access to the article.
To see recommendations, scroll down to the section labeled “Users interested in this article also expressed an interest in the following." You will find additional articles that may be of interest, based on the usage of other researchers that looked at the original article. You can click on the buttons to the right of the citations to see if we have access to the additional articles.


What if nothing is recommended?

The recommendations section will not always show up. This is still a relatively new service and not every article will have recommendations.

What about my privacy?

The recommendation engine is powered by anonymous usage data from people using the Find It! system at other participating libraries. For our trial subscription, UWEC clickthrough data is not sent to the software vendor.

How do I provide feedback?
If you've used the service, please provide feedback via the following system-wide survey.